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Getting to grips with my debt!

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  • Synchro
    Synchro Posts: 29 Forumite
    10 Posts
    House move accomplished yesterday.


    Now I just have a mountain of boxes to unpack, cleaning to do etc, etc.......


    Also gotta grab the freezer from the car.


    £100 deposit back from the shared house I was in which was nice as I had forgotten about it.



    Also a half decent pay check from one of the social research organisations I freelance for.


    Now, I've gotta go shopping and avoid the temptaion to buy new pans, knives, glasses etc.



    The flat is fully furnished, all kitchen equipment etc. However I am tempted to upgrade certain items.


    I WILL NOT THOUGH! Everything is serviceable and will definitely do for now.


    I must always ask myself, Do I want it or do I need it?



    Needs can be bought if thought through thoroughly. Wants are not necessary right now in my life!


    I will smash this debt!


    Time to get busy, busy, busy......


    Ciao 4 now. :)
  • Synchro
    Synchro Posts: 29 Forumite
    10 Posts
    A good evening last night and day today with my girlfriend. I had been saving my personal entertainment budget for 2 weeks so last night we could splash out. I mean not Michelin star fine dining splash out as has been my want on occasion, but a perfectly adequate Wetherspoons dinner last night and a few drinks. I've even got £10 left to roll over into next week. Now gonna save the entertainment budget until Valentines Day when we are going away for the night to the Lake District. Hotel booked utilising my Tesco Clubcard points so all good!


    A wee touch of food shopping today finished off the last of the weeks food budget, but I roll it Monday to Sunday so no issues with this.


    I also took the luxury of a car wash as after 2 weeks without one it was filthy. A small expense but I'm not fully unpacked and firing on all cylinders at my new flat yet, so a bucket and water was not happening today, especially as the weather is pretty grim!


    Today marks 2 weeks since I got serious about finally clearing this debt.


    So far I think, so good! I'm getting a buzz from being frugal and seeking bargains.


    Tomorrow I'm gonna hit Iceland for the first time in my life. I fancy 3 bags of various frozen fish fillets for £10! A bargain and healthy. Happy Days.


    Ciao. :)
  • Synchro
    Synchro Posts: 29 Forumite
    10 Posts
    Can I be forgiven for just buying a slow cooker and food processor for my new flat?

    My justification for the slow cooker is that, a) I can be lazy from time to time and, b) cook cheap cuts of meat well.

    The food processor is justified because I like cooking and it just makes life so much simpler.

    I have only spent £42 in total!

    The answer to my opening question is YES I am forgiving myself on this occasion.

    No more spending now though. My flat has everything I require.

    I am gonna hold myself to this! :)
  • Tahlullah.H
    Tahlullah.H Posts: 1,227 Forumite
    Fifth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    I think you can be forgiven and congratulated on the spend on these 2 items. Absolute staples of any kitchen which allow you to cook nutritious meals easily. You are doing great!
    What I do not give, you must never take by force.
    Mortgage outstanding - 30/12/22 - £25,900. 31/01/23 - £22,300. 28/02/23 - £20,500. 31/03/23 - £17,500. 30/04/23 - £15,800. 30/05/23 - £13,800. 31/06/23 - £11,300. 31/07/23 - £9,800. 31/08/23 - £8,300. 30/09/23 - £6,000. 31/10/23 - £3,000. 30/11/23 - £1,200. 06/12/23 - £00.00
    God save us everyone, As we burn inside the fire of a thousand suns, For the sins of our hands, The sins of our tongues, The sins of our fathers, The sins of our young.
    Linkin Park
  • enthusiasticsaver
    enthusiasticsaver Posts: 16,051 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Synchro wrote: »
    Can I be forgiven for just buying a slow cooker and food processor for my new flat?

    My justification for the slow cooker is that, a) I can be lazy from time to time and, b) cook cheap cuts of meat well.

    The food processor is justified because I like cooking and it just makes life so much simpler.

    I have only spent £42 in total!

    The answer to my opening question is YES I am forgiving myself on this occasion.

    No more spending now though. My flat has everything I require.

    I am gonna hold myself to this! :)

    Have you bought them using cash or have you used credit cards? If you used credit it will cost you more than £42. Whilst I understand your reasoning your credit cards are all charging you interest so it might have been better to buy one this month and one next month.
    I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the Debt free Wannabe, Budgeting and Banking and Savings and Investment boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.

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  • Synchro
    Synchro Posts: 29 Forumite
    10 Posts
    I used my debit card Enthusiasticsaver.


    I am not overdrawn and I doubt now very much that I will go overdrawn before my next payday, so all good.


    Today I had a few other minor kitchen expenses. I noticed I was lacking a cheese grater, colander and kitchen scales so I grabbed the cheapest I could find on EBay. Again paid for essentially with cash as my bank account is in credit.


    All my credit cards are out of my reach anyway with my girlfriend 50 miles away so I cannot misbehave even if tempted, AND I haven't been tempted.


    My only minor irk is that I forgot to use TopCashback on EBay today. I know it would have only been pennies, but I would sooner have the pennies than somebody else.


    This evening I'm gonna look into the apps I hear people mention regarding till receipts. I saved my receipt today from Iceland so lets see if I can make something back on it eh?


    Btw, Iceland was a revelation!


    I bought 16 meals worth of frozen fish and meat for £20!


    I've never been in an Iceland before. I hope the quality is okay, BUT the slow cooker and good seasoning will solve any issues I am sure with the meat.


    Fish is fish is fish kinda, so not worried about that.


    Anyways, back to work tomorrow after 6 days off. I'm going back a day early. I gotta earn the pennies!


    Ciao good folks. :)
  • Synchro
    Synchro Posts: 29 Forumite
    10 Posts
    Okay, I have just joined receipt hog.


    2 questions?


    1) Are there similar apps?


    2) Can I use the same receipts on multiple apps?


    Thanks in advance.....
  • Synchro wrote: »
    Okay, I have just joined receipt hog.


    2 questions?


    1) Are there similar apps?


    2) Can I use the same receipts on multiple apps?


    Thanks in advance.....

    Yes you can. I use shoppix and zipzero which is my fave. I have all three apps next to each other on my phone so I remember to do them all at the same time.
    *Dad loan - £5300 - £7400
    *Virgin Credit Card - £3552.50 - £0
    *Natwest - £1828.35 -£0

    Barclaycard - £2315.25 - £0.00

    *Total debt - £7400/£10680.85*


    Savings
    *Savings Buffer - £1000/£1500
    *Emergency Fund - £1000/£1500


    New diary- https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6474943/the-three-cs-coffee-clothes-credit-cards/
  • Synchro
    Synchro Posts: 29 Forumite
    10 Posts
    Thanks for this info Sarahwithlove. :)


    So today I left the house for work at 0730 and arrived home from work at 2215.


    Crazy long day! A rarity!


    However money earnt. Only £5.21 spent on food shopping and £4.60 on parking.


    V tired, so I'll leave it there today.


    Finally, remembered receipt hog today again. Not a lot to be made from it for sure, but I prefer the few pennies in my pocket than elsewhere. :)


    Ciao
  • What are these apps you talk of?!
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